Wisconsin lawmakers are advancing legislation that would give Native American tribes exclusive rights to mobile sports betting, blocking commercial operators from entering the state’s online market.

The proposal, highlighted by WISN 12 News, has gained bipartisan backing as the legislative session nears its end. If approved, tribes would be allowed to expand their existing retail sportsbook operations into a statewide mobile offering through amendments to current gaming compacts.

The structure would prevent national brands such as FanDuel and DraftKings from securing direct online licences in Wisconsin. Instead, tribes would control digital wagering, maintaining exclusivity over the state’s regulated sports betting framework.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos defended the approach on economic grounds, arguing that allowing external operators would undermine in-state tribal revenues.

“Why would I want to disadvantage tribes in Wisconsin that pay Wisconsin income taxes when we’re already allowing people in other states and in other countries to have the same online sports betting?” Vos said.

Governor Tony Evers is reported to be aligned with Republican leadership on the bill, signalling cross-party support despite broader end-of-session disputes over tax and education policy.

Currently, sports betting in Wisconsin is limited to in-person wagering at tribal casinos. Mobile betting would significantly expand market access and revenue potential without introducing commercial competition.

Opposition remains from excluded operators and the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, which has raised concerns about the social impact of expanded online gambling. However, tribal leaders have urged lawmakers to finalise the legislation, stating that mobile wagering would strengthen long-term revenue streams and support community funding.

If passed, Wisconsin would adopt a closed, tribal-exclusive online betting model, diverging from the open licensing systems used in most US states.